According to data analysis released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wednesday, the number of unemployed people in 14 U.S. states exceeded the number of job openings in February, reaching the highest level since April 2021. In February, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, and Rhode Island joined this group, indicating a growingly severe labor market. From November 2022 to April 2023, as the U.S. economy gained momentum after the pandemic, the ratio of unemployed people to job openings in all 50 U.S. states was below 1. This means, at least theoretically, there were enough job opportunities available for all the unemployed. In May 2023, California and New Jersey became the first two states where this ratio exceeded 1. In February of this year (the most recent month with available data), California had the highest ratio, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with approximately 150 unemployed people per 100 job openings in the state. South Dakota had the lowest ratio, with about 40 unemployed people per 100 job openings.